Kiyoshi sprinted until he stumbled upon an even murkier part of the forest. “I'm perplexed as to why this section is more ominous than the one we just dashed through,” puzzled Kiyoshi. “Well, there's only one way to unravel this mystery,” declared Kitaro. “Right!” affirmed Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi plunged into the shadowy thicket. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled as he sensed movement swirling around him. “Is someone there?” Kiyoshi called out tentatively. Only silence responded. Kiyoshi hurtled straight ahead, constantly peeking back, until he collided with an elderly man. Kiyoshi toppled backward, grasping his throbbing head as he clambered up. “Why are you lurking in the heart of this jungle?” the man questioned as Kiyoshi steadied himself. “Shhh. Do you hear that?” whispered the wrinkled man urgently. “Hear what?” Kiyoshi replied, straining to detect any sounds in the stillness engulfing them. “This guy seems fishy, stay on guard,” Kitaro warned telepathically. “Can you please follow me? I require assistance getting home,” pleaded the hunched man. “You live deep within these woods?” Kiyoshi asked skeptically. "Yes, it's so dark I can't see where I'm headed," claimed the old man. “Sure, I'm traveling that direction anyway,” Kiyoshi fibbed. In the distance, a mysterious fighter lingered in the shadows, tracking Kiyoshi and the old man's every move. "I've spotted them, sir," reported the Fighter into his earpiece. "Where are they headed?" a voice crackled back. "Unsure," replied the fighter. "Well, tail them closely and don't let them out of your sight," commanded the voice.

Felix dashed through the endless woods, desperately scanning for any sign of civilization. "Wait a minute, didn't we already loop around that tree?" puzzled Felix. "I believe so," Mudar confirmed. "It's impossible to escape this cursed forest," Felix despaired. "It would seem that way," Mudar agreed glumly. Felix's eyes locked onto a glow piercing through the darkness. "How peculiar to find light in such a gloomy place," mused Felix. Drawn toward the radiance like a moth, Felix pursued its source. But each time he approached, the illumination eluded him by shifting further away. Suddenly the blaze halted directly ahead. "What in the..." Felix trailed off in confusion. "Felix, look out!" Mudar yelled urgently. "Huh?" Before Felix could react, a mysterious fighter burst from the shadows and tackled him. "What are you doing?" Felix demanded, struggling against his assailant's viselike grip. "Quiet, or they'll find us!" the fighter hissed under his breath. "Who will?" whispered Felix. "The legendary dragons and their masters," disclosed the fighter ominously. “Ah yes, I’d forgotten the dragons were unleashed from the sword,” recalled Felix. “I've apprehended him, sir," reported the fighter into his earpiece. "And who might you be?" queried Felix. "Apologies, I’m Konno Toshikuni, a Light Hobgoblin,” introduced the fighter politely. Konno’s round mauve eyes glimmered above his pointed nose. His thick, cropped emerald hair stuck out wildly in all directions. Though small in stature, his stocky frame rippled with toned muscles. His skin held a rich tan hue. Pointed ears and a goblin-esque nose completed his distinctive visage. “I’m Felix Warner, a Moon Wolf fighter,” Felix returned with a slight bow. “A pleasure to meet you,” Konno said with a bow. “Likewise,” said Felix, returning the gesture. Konno’s long ears suddenly perked up, detecting footsteps approaching from afar. “Get down!” Konno urgently whispered. “Why?” challenged Felix. “Someone extremely powerful draws near,” cautioned Konno gravely. “Shouldn’t we stand and fight them?” countered Felix boldly. “Only if you have a death wish,” Konno retorted in exasperation. One of the legendary dragon fighters emerged from the shadows, his energy pulsing with formidable power. “That’s Hydrox, the revered Water Dragon, banished and transformed into a gemstone due to his uncontrollable might. But it seems he's regained human form once more,” Konno informed Felix nervously. “That's not good news," Felix gulped. As the footsteps halted abruptly, a colossal orb of water came barreling toward them. "Look out!" Konno yelled. A deafening explosion followed, enveloping them in a choking cloud of smoke and debris.

When the dust settled, Felix cracked open his eyes to find Hydrox looming before them. “I’ve located one of the targets,” Hydrox thundered ominously.

Jax cautiously approached a decrepit house marooned in the heart of the woods. “How curious to find an abandoned home in such isolation,” Jax remarked. “Quite an intriguing puzzle indeed,” Tethyus agreed. The door creaked open to reveal a dusty, cobwebbed interior. Faded paintings and books lay coated in a thick layer of grime. The humble abode contained merely a bedroom and kitchen. The hardwood floors groaned in protest with Jax’s every step. “This place gives me the creeps,” Jax shuddered. His eyes fell upon a photograph depicting his mentor, Grandmaster Sensei Tom, alongside an unfamiliar man. “I wonder who that mysterious fellow is,” Jax mused. Jax whirled around as a noise floated from outside. “Did you hear that Tethyus?” Jax whispered. “Yes, quite clearly,” confirmed Tethyus with concern. Jax burst through the door to find a man approaching, clad in a glossy yellow dragon scale karate uniform bearing a dragon emblem. “Who are you?” challenged Jax, sliding into a fighting stance. The man remained silent as flickering sparks of lightning began dancing across his palms. “He’s definitely a Lightning fighter, though I can’t discern his spirit guardian,” Jax telepathed to Tethyus. “True, this is a power I haven��t witnessed since Cloven appeared,” Tethyus responded uneasily. “Do you wish to fight?” Jax called out. The man simply bowed in response. Jax returned the gesture before bowing deeply.

Lionel wandered aimlessly through the woods, praying for any indication of civilization. All he could see were endless trees and vines beneath ominous grey skies. “I sure hope the others made it safely, even without me,” Lionel fretted. “It’s unbelievable that a single sword could sunder the island and unleash such formidable adversaries,” marveled Zebeon. Lionel sighed heavily. “You know, you���re absolutely right. How could such a catastrophe come to pass in our world?” As Lionel paused to catch his breath, the ground began to tremble. Booming rumbles grew louder as the quaking intensified violently beneath his feet. An enormous fissure split open just before Lionel, who nimbly leapt onto a sturdy branch just in time. “That was a close one!” Lionel panted in relief. Peering down, he spotted a lone fighter standing at the crater’s edge. “He appears to be a fighter I haven’t encountered before,” Lionel whispered to Zebeon. “I sense tremendous power from him, but cannot decipher its nature,” mused Zebeon uneasily. “His energy feels dangerously potent,” Zebeon added with concern. “I believe I comprehend your objective,” bellowed the fighter. To Lionel’s shock, he recognized the man as Narcos, an esteemed elder he'd known. “I see you were freed from imprisonment within the sword,” Lionel responded somberly. “And what if I was?” Narcos growled defiantly. “Then I must get past you to return the sword to its stone and destroy the gems once and for all,” Lionel stated firmly. “You're welcome to try, boy,” Narcos sneered as he slid into a fighting stance. “It appears I have no choice but to accept your challenge,” Lionel sighed regretfully as he bowed in return. Narcos mirrored his bow to signal the battle's commencement.

As Kiyoshi and the old man ambled through the woods, their discussion turned to the island’s fracturing. “Do you know what triggered this catastrophe?” Kiyoshi inquired. “Indeed, the splintering resulted from the gems powering the Sword of Infinity,” disclosed the elder. “My comrades and I aim to stop the man in the green hood and reunite the islands,” Kiyoshi explained. “I'm afraid that won't be possible with me obstructing your path,” the old man replied ominously before vanishing into thin air. “Wait, what?” Kiyoshi gasped in confusion, sliding into a defensive pose. “I told you so,” Kitaro chided in his mind. “I hate when you’re right,” Kiyoshi grumbled.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

From his hidden vantage point, the mysterious fighter watched the exchange unfold. "It appears they're about to fight," he reported quietly into his earpiece. "Ensure that Shadow Tiger prevails," commanded the voice. "Yes sir," acknowledged the fighter dutifully.

"My name is Lavis, the Phoenix Dragon," the old man revealed, his eyes flashing dangerously. Kiyoshi recoiled in dismay. "Uh oh, he's one of the legendary fighters!" Kiyoshi exclaimed to Kitaro. The two bowed briefly before assuming fighting stances as the mysterious fighter looked on. Kiyoshi settled into the Kitaro Tiger pose. "A tiger? This should be child's play," Lavis scoffed contemptuously. Kiyoshi bristled at the insult. "How dare you mock me, you pompous fool!" Kiyoshi snarled as he charged recklessly toward Lavis in a blind fury. “Wait!” Kitaro cautioned, but too late. Kiyoshi unleashed a wild punch. With minimal effort, Lavis intercepted it, knocking Kiyoshi clear off his feet. He crashed painfully into a tree, eliciting a rain of heavy coconuts onto his head. Lavis' mere graze had shredded Kiyoshi’s uniform, and Kitaro felt the damage reverberate through their bond. "Kiyoshi, don't ever attack so foolishly again or you'll get us killed! Once you fall, I will too," Kitaro admonished sternly. "Sorry," Kiyoshi mumbled, clambering to his feet. Before he could fully rise, Lavis' fist plowed into his face, catapulting him backward with double the force as before. Lavis then seized Kiyoshi and drove his fist deep into his stomach. Kiyoshi's eyes rolled back from the crushing impact that felt as if it had punched his very soul from his body. Lavis concluded the onslaught by viciously kicking Kiyoshi's head, driving him face-first into the unforgiving ground.

Kiyoshi lay immobilized for several moments as Lavis taunted him. "Surrender now, and I'll spare your pitiful life," Lavis offered contemptuously. Slowly Kiyoshi staggered up, boldly rejecting surrender. “Then you’ve chosen death, boy,” Lavis spat maliciously. Kiyoshi desperately tried blocking Lavis’ blows, but his guard shattered from a single strike each time. Lavis unleashed a devastating combination of punches and kicks, concluding with his dreaded Phoenix Bomb technique. The relentless assault drained the last of Kiyoshi's strength, leaving him teetering on the cusp of unconsciousness. Lavis seized Kiyoshi by the head and hoisted his limp body up effortlessly. "You had potential, yet still failed pathetically," Lavis ridiculed as he wound up for the final strike.

Just then the mysterious fighter burst from concealment, prompting Lavis to hurl Kiyoshi aside. In a blur, Lavis whirled and blocked the sneak attack. With blinding speed, his fist erupted into scorching flames as he countered with a fiery blow. Though initially blocking, the fighter's guard collapsed against the inferno, allowing Lavis to connect a second time with his other flaming fist. The hapless fighter crashed backward from the meteor-like impact, landing just as far away as Kiyoshi had from the earlier Phoenix Bomb.

Nearby, Alecto, Amanda and their companions felt the explosion ripple through the forest. "It came from over there!" Alecto exclaimed, pointing toward the source. They raced urgently toward the powerful energy release. The injured fighter struggled to rise, blood streaming down his face from beneath his mask. "Reveal yourself!" Lavis thundered as he ripped off the mask, exposing the fighter's identity. He wound up for another devastating Phoenix Bomb, but Kiyoshi managed to intervene with a last-ditch kick toward Lavis' arm. Lavis vanished in a blur, reappearing directly above Kiyoshi. "You foolish boy!" Lavis roared as his fist plowed into Kiyoshi's gut, driving him deep into the unforgiving earth. Kiyoshi painfully coughed up blood from the crushing strike. "You worthless insects aren't worth my effort. I'll end you all now in my spirit guardian form!" Lavis declared menacingly. A fiery aura engulfed him as he transformed into a hybrid phoenix dragon, sprouting twelve lashing tails. His deafening roar shook the forest to its roots.

The battered fighter crawled urgently toward Kiyoshi to check his condition. Though gravely injured, Kiyoshi maintained consciousness. He coughed up more blood as the fighter helped him up. "You and the others must prevail, or this day will doom the present and future alike," the fighter urged desperately. "Who are you?" Kiyoshi rasped weakly. "I am Gurski Braz, a Sand Scylla fighter," he revealed. Gurski's jade-green eyes shone above his proud curved nose. His cropped platinum hair was styled with two strands crossed over his forehead. Though lean, his frame rippled with wiry muscles. His skin held a deep tan hue. He had a prominent cheekbone and delicately pointed ears. His sand-hued uniform bore a Scylla emblem on the back.

Slowly Kiyoshi staggered to his feet. "Your end is near," he declared defiantly to Lavis.

Lavis merely chuckled condescendingly. "What makes you so certain, boy?"

"Because of this!" Kiyoshi roared as a violet aura engulfed him, morphing him into Kitaro's form. "I am Kitaro, the Shadow Tiger!" he bellowed before unleashing an earth-shaking roar. Gurski also rose as sand-colored energy swirled around him. "The five voices in my mind compel me to embrace my true form once more," Gurski intoned. "I am Ajax, Achilles, Cyril, Zoey and Gurski, together forming the Five-Headed Scylla!" Gurski transformed into a hybrid of a human and a five-headed sand scylla. Alecto and Amanda also activated their spirit guardians, wrapping themselves in silver and icy blue auras respectively. "I am Milton, the Metal Monkey!" Alecto yelled as he morphed. His uniform changed from white to gleaming silver with a brown belt marked by a monkey emblem. His body became pure metal down to his sinewy tail. "And I am Krystal, the Ice Wolf!" Amanda proclaimed upon transforming into a hybrid ice wolf.

"It's eight against one now," Kiyoshi called out boldly. He attacked first with a Shadow Punch, but Lavis easily dodged the blow. Alecto followed up with his own punch, but Lavis evaded by ducking, causing Alecto to strike Kiyoshi instead. Chuckling, Lavis lobbed a small but intensely explosive orb at Alecto's unprotected back. The force of the blast slammed both Alecto and Kiyoshi hard into the ground. Two of Gurski's scylla heads unleashed sand tornadoes while Amanda added her icy power, merging them into frozen crystal shards hurtling toward Lavis. But with contemptuous ease, Lavis evaded them all. A cruel smile curled his lips as he unleashed his Phoenix Bomb punches on both Amanda and Gurski, smashing them backward.

Capitalizing on Lavis' distraction, Kiyoshi landed on his back. "Special Move: Shadow Shredder!" he bellowed, raking Lavis with violet energy claws. Howling in pain and outrage, Lavis bucked Kiyoshi off, weakened by the deep gashes.

"I have an idea," Kiyoshi declared. "Now that he's injured, let's hit him with everything we've got!" They surrounded Lavis in a wide circle. "Super Move: Shadow Roar Blast!" yelled Kiyoshi, expending the last of his Guardian power. "Ultimate Move: The Five Senses of Sandstorm!" Gurski intoned solemnly. "Super Move: Icy Fang Freeze!" cried Amanda. But Lavis evaded their combined assault with ease, causing their attacks to merge into a massive sphere of chaotic energy. At that moment, Alecto struck from behind Lavis, unseen and undetected. "This is for destroying my school!" Alecto thundered. "Super Move: Metal Monkey Fury!" His barrage of lightning-fast punches drove Lavis directly into the giant energy orb Kiyoshi and the others had created. "How could I be defeated by such a foolish tactic!" Lavis howled as his body began dissolving away. "Because you underestimated the power of teamwork," Kiyoshi replied proudly before collapsing unconscious. One by one, the others crumpled beside him, depleted of all energy.

Sekel examined his sword and to his outrage, one of the gemstones had vanished. "How could this be? How did those bothersome insects overcome one of my unstoppable warriors?" Sekel thundered in disbelief.